Live updates

This decision is a Waterloo for the fracking industry and a triumph for local democracy. It's also a huge boost for efforts to kick the UK’s addiction to dangerous fossil fuels.

Lancashire councillors deserve huge praise for standing up to the relentless pressure from the fracking lobby and their minister friends. Their decision sends a powerful signal to other councils that the fracking juggernaut can indeed be stopped.

Cuadrilla's defeat should trigger a reality-check from a government that has staked so much of Britain’s energy future on this controversial industry.

In the year where the world is coming together to find a solution to our fossil fuel problem, we should be trying to harness the potential of clean energy and efficiency instead of deploying risky techniques to squeeze more polluting gas from under our feet.

The North and Western Lancashire Chamber Of Commerce have expressed disappointment at the decision made by Lancashire County Council to reject a bid by the energy firm Cuadrilla to explore for Shale Gas at the preston New Road site.

Although it is disappointing that councillors have gone against the recommendation of planning officers, we hope this is not the death knell for this industry in Lancashire.

In turning down this proposal, councillors appear to have ruled with their hearts, rather than their heads, and ignored the reasoned arguments of those with genuine expertise in this industry.

Our hope is that this decision will be appealed and that the appeal will be successful, otherwise what is certain is that fracking will go ahead elsewhere in the UK and Lancashire will miss out on thousands of jobs and massive economic benefits.

Advertisement

Lancashire County Council have rejected a bid by Energy giant Cuadrilla to start exploration work at a site in Little Plumpton.

Last week officials rejected a bid for Rosacre. Lancashire County Council voted unanimously in favour of rejecting the proposal by Cuadrilla because of the impact of increased traffic particularly of HGVs on local roads.

£1.2m funding has been approved for the regeneration of Winckley Square Gardens in Preston.

The improvements to the Gardens include the restoration of the Robert Peel statue, work to resolve the current flooding issues, new lighting, creating a social space, historical reference points and more.

It has been described as a 'big day in the history of Preston' and comes four years after a campaign to renovate the gardens was launched by the Winckley Square Community Interest Company (WSCIC). The money comes from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund long with extra cash from a local businesses fund.
.
The project is due to start next year. Find out more here.

Artist impression

"We're delighted to see so much hard work come to fruition. We started this campaign because we felt Winckley Square was in danger of permanent decline. By the community coming together we have managed to create and fund an exciting new future for everyone connected with the Square.

Last week officials rejected a bid for Rosacre. Lancashire County Council voted unanimously in favour of rejecting the proposal by Cuadrilla because of the impact of increased traffic particularly of HGVs on local roads.

Advertisement

Councillors in Lancashire are considering a second application to build a site for fracking in Lancashire.

The proposed site at Roseacre was initially recommended for rejection by Lancashire County Council because of the likely impact of HGVs on local traffic.

There were chaotic scenes yesterday when the Council deferred a decision on a different proposed site at Preston New Road until Monday.

The applications by Cuadrilla - an oil and gas exploration and production company - would be the first accepted by any council in the country if Lancashire County Council chooses to go ahead with either site.

Councillors in Lancashire are likely to decide today whether to give the green light to fracking for shale gas in Lancashire.

Energy firm Cuadrilla wants to develop two new sites between Preston and Blackpool to explore for shale gas by drilling, fracking and testing the flow of gas.

A report from Lancashire County Council planning officials recommended that one of the sites - at Preston New Road near Little Plumpton - be passed subject to a number of conditions being met such as hours of working, control of noise and highway matters.

Fracking was suspended in the UK in 2011 following earth tremors in Blackpool where Cuadrilla previously drilled.

Yesterday about 70 speakers - both for and against the Preston New Road proposal - argued their case before the 15 members of the council's development control committee.